COVID-19: Higher Institutions To Receive Lectures Via NTA, FRCN

Adamu Adamu, minister of education, says there is an ongoing effort for students in higher institutions to receive lectures via the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) and the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN). 

Both NTA and FRCN are federal government-owned broadcast platforms with coverage across the country.

Since the outbreak of COVID-19 in the country, schools at all levels have been shut down. 

At the COVID-19 presidential task force briefing in Abuja on Tuesday, Adamu said the ministry had been planning for this long before the pandemic. 

“The ministry has been planning even before COVID-19, only that because of it now people know about it,” he said. 

“Some of my tertiary institutions are already giving their lessons, some online, and the ministry is working with the Nigeria Television Authority and the FRCN to start giving lectures, not just because of COVID-19, I hope this would become a permanent feature of our education system. 

“So, lessons would be given online. Last time I met with the vice-chancellors, I even talked to the press and told them I have directed institutions of higher learning to start thinking of giving people lessons where they are. 

“I am also aware that there are some private institutions who are already giving lessons online.” 

It is not clear if the lectures would be provided by university teachers who had embarked on strike before the pandemic led to the closure of schools. 

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) commenced a warning strike on March 9, 2020 after a disagreement with the government over issues of rehabilitation of universities and earned academic allowance.

The Cable